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Author Topic: can anybody help me find a way of fixing solar panels too my trailer roof?  (Read 1033 times)
jules27
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« on: November 16, 2008, 03:59:20 PM »

Hello,
 these are  dimensions 131cm x 26cm x 4cm , i wanted too try and avoid drills holes in the roof if poss , if that's the only solution how would i stop it leaking ?  . All the products i ve seen require drilling into the roof ........ thanks ......... glad i found this forum , very intersting , thanks again
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Billy
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« Reply #1 on: November 16, 2008, 04:12:03 PM »

hi Jules

watz the roof made of, aluminium, GRP, wood, is it an insulated sandwich job or what?

Do you need air under the panels for cooling/ventilation?

How curved/straight is the roof?

How strong is it do you think, I don't know how you answer that but try!

Billy the Barge

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martin
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« Reply #2 on: November 16, 2008, 04:13:12 PM »

I think there's a couple of things to consider - it's always better to have good air-gap under pv panels to stop them getting too hot in use, which can cut their efficiency considerably, but if you attach them with a 3 or 4 inch gap, then hurtle down a motorway, you could have problems with the panels trying to lift, and possibly cracking Roll Eyes
I reckon there's 2 ways to go - make up some L-section aluminium into mounts as described in this thread
http://www.navitron.org.uk/forum/index.php/topic,1363.15.html, which will give you a good air gap, and enable you to simply remove the panels when in transit, which will entail mounting into the structure (no big deal, tap around for the framework, then screw into it, using silicone as a sealant where needed.  Grin
OR you could use "Martin's down and dirty way" - I kid thee not - velcro! - if you have the sort of ally mount that gives a few mm of frame parallel to the panel at the rear, get a roll of male/female industrial type velcro - attach to rear of frame, remove backing off sticky strip the other side, and whack onto trailer roof..........remove for transit Grin
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guydewdney
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« Reply #3 on: November 16, 2008, 04:47:22 PM »

using silicone as a sealant where needed.  Grin

dont use silicone on a vehicle - use sikaflex or equivilant - its 3.50 a tube from fleabay - and makes silicone look very silly.

just sika the angle ally onto the roof - and drill the ally. clean both sides with a scratchy pad nicked from the kitchen (green scouring sponge) then wipe with  paint thinners before applying goop.
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jules27
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« Reply #4 on: November 16, 2008, 07:56:45 PM »

Thanks some good info there .its  an aluminium roof an a slope cant give you an angle or much more info really as i m not with it currently .its definately strong enough to support the panels and some sort of fixing .like the velcro idea ,but i m gonna look into the L shaped ally thread and find out about this sikaflex .........thanks all help gratefully appreciated
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wookey
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« Reply #5 on: November 16, 2008, 11:44:07 PM »

I'll second the sikaflex recommendation. It's kept the water out of my camper for several years now where I put a roof vent in. It really is marvellous stuff - remains flexible, and much stickier than silicone.
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Wookey
jules27
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« Reply #6 on: November 17, 2008, 08:50:16 PM »

great thanks
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